MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — This year, the state of Alabama boosted its report card score from the 2022-2023 school year. School districts said there are a few reasons for the improvement.
Alabama scored an 85% overall, compared to last year’s 83%. That score is broken down into six different categories, including graduation rate and chronic absenteeism.
Corey Clements, Chilton County Schools Superintendent, said they scored 82% in their district- a five-point increase from last year. He said the Literacy Act and third-grade reading scores have helped with that.
“Stressing the importance of that test, because of the success at that level, I think that we saw an increase in academic achievement there,” said Clements.
Franklin County Schools Superintendent Greg Hamilton Said their district scored 88%, two points higher than last year.
“The score- that kind of score- with some of the demographics I’ve mentioned. You know, the poverty rate, the E.L. population- things like that play into this,” said Hamilton. “It’s a big, big deal.”
Hamilton said chronic absenteeism has been a challenge since COVID.
“Being in a rural district with so many high schools, our grad rate has typically helped us,” explained Hamilton. “But the overall improvement scores- but chronic absenteeism is usually what kind of weighs us down a little bit.”
Clements said the scores are a step in the right direction.
“We had an overall improvement in 11 of our 12 schools,” he said. “And it’s just a tribute to our teachers and our administrators, and the work that they’re doing every day.”
Clements said it’s all about direction, and not perfection. He said they are not content but happy with the numbers they got for the Chilton County School District.
To find a school’s individual report card you can search for it on the Alabama Department of Education’s website.
